When and where to register a death

If a Coroner isn't involved, a death needs to be registered with the Registrar within 5 days.

You need to register the death at a register office in the district where it took place. If it happened in Hertfordshire, you can register the death in any of the register offices in the county.

If you can't get to any of the offices in Hertfordshire, you can make a Declaration at any register office in England and Wales. The Declaration will be sent to the correct office and the death certificates and other documents will be posted to you.

Who can register the death

the person who is arranging the funeral and instructing the Funeral Director.

Documents to bring with you

A Medical Certificate of the Cause Death from a GP or hospital doctor.

The deceased’s passport, birth certificate, deed poll, marriage certificate and utility bill, along with identification for the person registering, aren’t required but can help make sure the registration is accurate. The registration will still go ahead without these documents.

How long it takes to register a death

It usually takes about 30 minutes if you have all the information you need.

How much registering a death costs

There's no fee for registering a death. You can buy a standard death certificate for £11 at the time you register the death.

For any correction requested to a death certificate there will be a non-refundable fee of £75 or £90 (dependant on whether the correction can be done locally or has to be referred to the General Register Office).

We therefore request that you check the register page very carefully before signing to avoid the need to make corrections.

Documents you'll get from the Registrar

You'll be given a form to take to the Funeral Director, which gives permission for burial or cremation. You'll also get a BD8 form that you need to give to the Department of Work and Pensions.

Tell Us Once service (TUO)

Following the registration of a death several government departments and local services will need to be told.

Once the death is registered the Registrar will issue you with a TUO reference number. You can go online or call the DWP for free. On your behalf they'll tell most government and local government departments that the death has taken place.